We have no way to tell why LeBron put up pregame shots like this, and if he’s asked about it, James will likely flash a cheeky smile and play it off as nothing to do with Lonzo Ball’s awkward shooting form. But is this shade?

C’mon. Yes. Of course it is. This is classic LeBron shade. James ranks top two in the NBA in pettiness. This is petty LeBron at his best.

LeBron is a terrible matchup for LaVar in the world of back-and-forth beefs. LeBron had his initial say.

He will likely ignore, and remain unperturbed by, anything else LaVar says. But he’s petty enough to take veiled shots back at LaVar — and perhaps now at his sons.